Chapter Thirty-One
I'm boarding a flight to LA and I feel stressed.
As I walk into first class, my suitcase dragging behind me and my tux draped over my arm in its protective bag, I look around at the stoic faces of corporate high-flyers and silver spoon babies. In my faded jeans and boots, I look completely out of place.
I store my bag and suit in the overhead locker before sliding into my seat, looking out of the window at the Seattle rain. I'm on my way to meet Bella for her premiere tonight. Part of me is elated to see her again after almost no contact at all for two weeks, but another part of me feels sick at the thought of this evening.
I suppose I naively thought that going to the premiere with her would be a bit like going to a fancy movie theatre. That I'd turn up in my tux, wait while she had a photo taken, and then watch the movie with her before going back to her place. What I didn't count on is having to meet everyone she works with and all the shooting stars that surround her.
I don't enjoy small talk or mingling or schmoozing. I'm not good at it and I feel uncomfortable in those kinds of situations. The idea of being in a penguin suit while having to meet her fancy friends and colleagues makes my palms sweat and my mouth go dry. The reaction is even worse when I think of being asked by one of them what I do for a living.
I sit through the security demonstration before the plane starts to move toward the runway. I quickly send a text to Bella, telling her I'll see her soon. As I turn my phone off, I look out of the window, feeling the force of take-off hit me in the chest before the wheels leave the wet tarmac and we're soaring into the sky.
The flight seems to pass quickly and before I know it, we're touching down in sunny LA. As we taxi to a stop I feel my stomach fill with butterflies at the thought of seeing Bella, holding her, being with her again.
I quickly grab my suitcase and suit from the overhead compartment before making my way off the plane and into the airport. I finally get through security before making my way into the arrivals lounge.
I glance around and see Jacob, once again holding a sign reading Cullen in big letters. I make my way over to him, giving a small smile when I reach him.
"Jacob, nice to see you" I nod.
"You too Mr. Cullen. Come this way" He smiles before leading me out of the airport and over to a blacked-out car.
As soon as we reach the car, he opens the back door, revealing Bella.
"Hey!" She beams.
"Hey" I smile, feeling the ache in my chest ease a little at the sight of her.
"I'll take this Sir," Jacob says quietly, taking my case and suit from me and letting me climb into the back with Bella.
As soon as the door closes behind me, Bella's mouth is mine, kissing me soundly. I chuckle against her lips before pulling away and glancing at her driver Caius.
"Baby..." I whisper, glancing in his direction.
"It's fine" She laughs, "I can't believe you're here!"
"I know, me neither" I smile.
"How was the flight?" She asks as Jacob slides into the passenger seat and the car moves off.
"It was fine. It seemed to go quickly" I shrug.
"Good. Are you excited about tonight?" She asks, her eyes dancing.
I hesitate for a moment, feeling anxiety pool in my belly.
"Yeah" I reply, forcing a smile. "I'm looking forward to seeing the movie," I tell her truthfully.
"I'm excited for you to see my dress" She grins, taking my hand in hers and bouncing in her seat slightly.
I chuckle, looking out the window at the swaying palm trees as we wind up the hills toward her house.
Within a few minutes, we're pulling up outside the pale Spanish-style house and Jacob is opening our door. I climb out, thanking him as he hands me my suitcase and tux.
"So, we'll be back around...seven?" He says to Bella.
"Yeah" She nods before waving them goodbye.
I follow her to the front door, waiting for her to open up before following her into the hall. I place my suitcase down by the front door before hanging my tux from the coat rack.
I turn to face Bella when suddenly her mouth slams to mine. I grunt in surprise before my arms wrap around her waist, pulling her towards me. She kisses me desperately, her tongue tangling with mine as her hands slide down my chest, popping the buttons of my shirt and trying to rip it off me.
"Fuck..baby" I breathe as she shoves the fabric from my shoulders.
"Want you," She says before her hands fly to the button of my jeans.
I groan before pulling her sweater over her head and throwing it behind her.
We kiss heatedly as we try to rip each other's clothes off. Bella manages to get my jeans undone and shoves them down before I kick off my boots and pants. I drag her jeans down her legs before popping the clasp of her bra and ripping the fabric from her chest.
When we're just in our underwear I slide my hands around to her ass and lift her into the air. Bella's mouth finds mine once more as her legs wrap around my hips. I blindly navigate my way to her bedroom before dropping her on the mattress. She bounces lightly before she yanks me down on top of her.
"Please" She moans against my lips and I groan in reply.
God, I've missed her.
I kiss her hard before moving my mouth to her neck and down her chest to her breasts. I kiss and lick the flesh before sucking hard on her nipple and revealing in her guttural moan.
I slide lower, kissing across her stomach and abdomen before pulling her panties down her legs and throwing them behind me. I dip my head, taking one long lick of her folds and listening to Bella gasp above me.
"Mmm" She moans, her back arching as I start flicking my tongue quickly over her clit.
Bella pants and moans and writhes above me before suddenly yanking me up by the hair and slamming her mouth to mine.
"I want you inside of me" She whispers.
"Fuck" I breathe before feeling her small hands push my boxers down as far as she can reach.
I wriggle out of them, kicking them off the bed before settling between her spread legs. I rest on my forearms as Bella's hands go to my hair and I thrust into her in one smooth movement.
"Urgh" We both groan.
I start a quick pace, resting my head against hers so that we're eye to eye.
"Missed you so fucking much" I pant.
"Me too" She moans before kissing me hard and fisting my hair.
I thrust harder and faster until we're both moaning and groaning and panting for air, the sound of skin slapping against one another filling the room.
"Oh fuck...I'm gonna cum" Bella suddenly moans.
"Yes...fucking cum" I groan, my vision blurring as I try to hold off for her.
I angle my hips slightly and watch as Bella's eyes slam closed and her back arches, her breathing coming out in harsh pants before her eyes open and fix me with a dark stare.
"I'm cumming" She whimpers before her entire body shakes with tremors.
I groan loudly as she tightens around me, pulling me over the edge with her. I shudder above her, my hips pumping sporadically until I collapse on top of her breathing heavily.
We lie there for a while, trying to rein in our breathing and heartbeats before I force myself onto my arms and look down at her. She has a dreamy smile on her face as I brush her hair from her eyes.
"Fuck" She giggles breathlessly.
"What was all that about?" I chuckle.
"Just really missed you" She shrugs.
I chuckle again.
"I missed you too" I whisper before kissing her softly.
I pull out of her before heading into the bathroom and grabbing a washcloth, letting her clean up.
"So we need to leave by seven?" I ask.
"Yeah" She nods, grabbing her phone and checking the time, "We have about...four hours" She says.
"Plenty of time" I sigh.
She laughs then, really laughs and I glance over at her.
"What?" I chuckle.
"Baby, I need to start getting ready like...now" She says.
"Seriously? You need four hours?" I ask.
"Yeah. I've got hair and make-up people turning up in about...an hour, then Alice will turn up with my dress, and then we'll need to go" She says.
Fuck, it suddenly all feels a bit more real.
"Oh okay," I nod.
She gives me a soft smile before leaning over and kissing me slowly.
"We could shower together though to save some time" She teases.
"Okay" I chuckle before watching her move from the bed and head into the bathroom.
I follow behind her, finding her standing in front of the shower, her hand under the spray testing the temperature. She looks over her shoulder at me before stepping into the shower and giving me a cheeky smile. I chuckle before following her in and wrapping my arms around her waist. Our mouths meet in a slow kiss and I feel her giggle against my lips before wrapping her arms around my neck.
We make out for a while under the spray before I start to get hard again and I pull away, knowing we don't have time for round two.
We take it in turns washing each other's hair and bodies before I turn the water off and we step out, drying off. Bella wraps a towel around her hair before pulling on a robe and walking into her bedroom.
I follow after her grabbing my underwear from the floor and slipping them on.
"So what shall I do while you're getting ready?" I ask.
I'm literally going to need about ten minutes to get changed so I have a lot of time to kill.
"You could watch TV or...read or just hang out with me?" She suggests, digging through her dresser and pulling out a particularly sexy set of underwear.
"Is that what you're wearing under your dress?" I ask.
"Yes," She giggles, "Why?"
"They're very...lacy" I say.
She laughs before rolling her eyes and giving me a soft kiss.
"Well maybe you can see them in more detail later" She whispers and I grin, loving that idea.
I decide that if Bella's got people turning up to help her get ready I should probably throw some clothes on, so I grab my clothes from around the house and throw them on, deciding to unpack properly later.
I lounge on her bed for a while, watching as she grabs various things from around the room before doing some kind of elaborate skincare routine in the bathroom. I'm playing my tenth level of Tetris on my phone when I hear the buzzer go.
"Would you get that?" Bella's voice calls from the bathroom.
"Yeah" I reply before standing from the bed and making my way into the hallway.
I see a blacked-out car on the camera and press the button to let them through the gates before watching them pull to a halt in the driveway outside. As I open the front door I see three people climb out of the car.
The first is a tall, slim man dressed in very tight jeans and a blindingly white button-down. His fake-tanned skin shines behind the fabric and his perfectly manicured eyebrow lifts slightly at the sight of me.
The second is a smaller, older lady, her portly figure squeezed into a pair of black pants and a bright pink blouse. She's wearing a pair of bright blue glasses on the end of her nose and her chaotic, curled hair ripples in the slight breeze.
Finally, the third woman is small, young and has mousy blonde hair. She's dressed in tailored slacks and a green blouse and looks more corporate than the other two.
"Hello," I say quietly.
Suddenly I hear a noise behind me and see Bella standing there in her robe.
"Hi" She smiles, "Come in".
I watch as the three people march past me and into her house, leaving me to follow behind. I'm just about to close the door when I hear a man's voice behind me.
"Excuse me Sir," He says before walking into the house as well, with a tower of what appears to be luggage.
What the fuck?
I shrug a little, following the sound of voices before finding everyone congregating in Bella's living room.
"Edward, this is Jane my PA" Bella introduces, gesturing to the young woman, "Riley, my hair stylist and Patty, my make-up artist".
I nod at them all and give what I hope is a friendly smile.
"Nice to meet you," I say quietly.
"Nice to meet you too" Jane smiles.
"So, where are we to work our magic?" Riley asks.
"I thought we could be in here. There's more room than the bedroom" Bella replies.
They all nod before beginning to unpack the luggage brought in by the mystery man and producing tools, powders, sprays, brushes, lotions and potions.
I stand awkwardly, not really knowing where to put myself.
"Can I do anything?" I ask.
"A coffee would be lovely darling" Riley replies.
I stare at him for a moment and I notice Bella trying to stifle a smile before I nod and disappear into the kitchen, grateful for a moment alone.
I busy myself with setting the coffee machine going and grabbing mugs before adding milk and sugar to a tray and carrying it all back into the living room. When I walk in, there's music playing and Bella is talking animatedly to Jane about some kind of press release.
"Thank you" She whispers when I place the tray down.
"How do you take it?" I ask Jane.
"A dash of milk please" She smiles at me.
She seems sweet and eager to please and I can't help but smile a little when I see her look at Bella like she's some kind of shooting star. I know how she feels. I hand her a coffee before turning to Patty.
"Coffee?" I ask.
"Milk, two sugars please dear" She grins.
Up close, I realize she's younger than I thought. Her warm face looks welcoming and I start to feel a little more relaxed around this slightly bizarre bunch.
"And for you?" I ask Riley.
His eyes look me up and down before he gives me a grin.
"Just black darling. I'm sweet enough as it is" He teases.
I hand him a coffee before noticing him wink at me. I'm not sure whether to laugh or run for the hills. Thankfully, Bella saves me.
"So Edward is my boyfriend," She tells them.
"Boyfriend?" Riley replies, "I thought you and James were-"
"It's just tabloid gossip. I'm not with James" Bella replies.
Riley and Patty nod a little before looking over at me again.
"And what do you do Edward?" Patty asks as she unpacks what looks like palettes of colored powder.
"I work in construction" I reply.
I notice Riley's eyes flash to Bella and a look crosses his face that I can't place.
"Here in LA?" Patty continues.
"No, a couple of hours from Seattle" I reply.
"Edward and I knew each other in high school" Bella explains.
"Oh," Patty nods.
"So you do hair and make-up?" I ask, trying to make conversation as I perch on the arm of the couch.
"It's more than hair darling!" Riley cries, looking slightly horrified, "It's art!"
I glance at Bella who giggles and rolls her eyes.
"Riley is a master at hair...if not a little...dramatic" She stage whispers.
I chuckle, hearing Patty laugh too.
"You won't be laughing when I'm done with you later" Riley replies, giving me an evil grin.
"Me?" I laugh.
"Yes. What? You thought you'd just throw on some cotton blend shirt and be done?" He asks.
Maybe.
"Er..." I glance at Bella again but she's talking to Jane and not available to save me.
"You leave it to me, darling. I'll make you look like a god" Riley winks.
Lord save me.
For the next couple of hours, Riley and Patty work their magic on me. Riley curls my hair, fashioning it into a vintage-inspired chignon that perfectly compliments the film. Patty lathers me in lotions and potions before swiping glittery powder over my eyelids and deep black mascara on my lashes.
While they work, Edward sits with us, occasionally commenting on something or asking a question. I love that he's making an effort to get to know them. I'm aware it's not really his world.
"So? What do you think?" Patty asks, holding a mirror out to me.
I look at my face and see a different person. I see Isabella Swan, the movie star, the up-and-coming actress. It's kind of frightening.
"It's perfect" I smile, "What do you think?" I ask Edward.
He turns to look at me, dropping the magazine he's been half-reading. I notice his eyes widen slightly.
"Fuck" He blurts out before glancing at Patty with a slightly bashful look.
"A good fuck?" Riley laughs.
"Yeah" Edward chuckles, "You look...different".
"Too much?" I ask.
"No, it's very...Hollywood" He smiles.
I giggle before the gate buzzer sounds again.
"That will be Alice with the dress, would you let her in?" I ask.
Edward nods before disappearing from the room. As soon as he's gone Patty gives me a grin.
"He's a cutie," She says.
"Yeah, he is" I giggle.
"Looks like a model too" Riley comments and I can hear the jealousy in his voice.
"Are you really going to do his hair?" I laugh.
"Yes!" Riley insists, "Just a little scrunch and he'll be even more divine" He teases.
I roll my eyes before Edward reappears with Alice in tow.
"Wow, look at you!" Alice smiles.
"Hey! Is that it?" I ask.
"It is" She grins.
Riley lets me go and I take her into my bedroom before she hangs the covered dress from a hook in my dressing room. She slowly lowers the zip, revealing the dress to me. It's gorgeous.
It's a sleeveless design with a boat-neck neckline. The fabric is a deep blue with hundreds of sequins embroidered on it in panels, making it shimmer and shine.
"Wow" I breathe.
"You wait till you see the one I've made for the Seattle showing" She teases.
"Can't wait" I giggle.
I hear a noise in my bedroom and Alice quickly zips the cover closed before Edward pops his head into the dressing room.
"Sorry to interrupt but I was wondering if I should start to get ready?" He asks.
I check the time on my phone and see we have about thirty minutes before Jacob and Caius will be here to pick us up.
"Yeah probably" I nod.
He grins before disappearing and I hear Alice giggle.
"He's going to need what? About...three minutes?" She laughs.
"Not if Riley's going to get his hands on his hair" I giggle.
"Fuck, Riley's doing his hair?" Alice laughs.
"Yep. He just doesn't know it yet." I reply.
I leave Alice and Bella in her dressing room discussing dresses or something before heading out into the living room. I'm just grabbing my phone when Riley speaks up.
"Where are you going?" He asks.
"To get changed?" I tell him.
"Not until I've done your hair you're not" He replies.
I look at him for a long minute before chuckling.
"I don't think I need my hair done" I tell him.
"Sit" He replies, pointing at the seat.
I would argue but the look in his eyes is enough to make the bravest man plop down in the chair of torture. I huff a little before taking a seat and leaning back in the chair.
"Oh don't be such a grumpy guts, I'm just going to improve what's already there" Riley says.
"Just..." I sigh a little.
"What?" Riley asks.
"Don't do anything weird" I reply.
There's a beat of silence before Riley chuckles.
"Oh darling, you're safe with me" Riley reassures me or tries to.
I sigh a little as I feel him move around behind me. I hear a bottle open before he seems to be rubbing through my hair. I let him do whatever he's doing before he comes around to the front of me, bending over so his face is close to mine.
He begins to flick and move my hair around before his eyes meet mine and he gives me a wink. I chuckle at him, rolling my eyes before he grabs a bottle and tells me to close my eyes. I do as he says, hearing a spray before he fiddles with my hair again and tells me I can open my eyes once more.
He grabs a mirror before holding it out in front of me.
"What do you think?" He asks.
I look at my reflection. I look the same but my normally unruly hair looks more...styled, purposeful, as if the bed hair is a choice rather than genetics.
"Not bad" I admit.
"I'll take that as a compliment from you" He chuckles.
I smile at him before thanking him and heading into the safety of Bella's room. I can hear Bella and Alice giggling behind the closed dressing room door and the sound makes me smile.
I quickly strip out of my clothes before grabbing the pants of the tux and sliding them up my legs. I slip my arms into the cotton shirt and do up the small buttons before grabbing the bow tie.
I spend twenty minutes struggling to do it up but eventually manage before grabbing my highly polished shoes and jacket. When I'm done I make my way out into the living room to wait.
"Wow" Patty says with a grin when she sees me.
I chuckle before turning in front of her.
"What do you think?" I ask.
"I'd let you build my house anytime" She teases.
I laugh at her before hearing a whistle behind me. I turn to see Riley looking at me like I'm something to eat.
"Told you I could make you look like a god" He grins.
I chuckle before hearing a door open and the sound of clicking heels. I look over my shoulder and see Alice come out of the room grinning at me before what can only be described as a vision appears before me.
It's a bit like that moment on prom night, where all time slowed a little. My eyes move over Bella's perfectly coiffed hair to her poster-perfect face down the glittery midnight blue gown to the sparkling silver shoes on her feet.
"Holy fuck" I whisper.
I hear the others laugh behind me.
"It's a holy fuck this time, that's an improvement" Patty laughs.
Bella turns slowly in front of me, showing the entire dress.
"Will I do?" She asks.
"You look..." I don't even know what the word is, "Like a star".
She really does and it makes me feel so fucking far away from her.
She grins at me before her eyes move over my suit.
"You look pretty good yourself" She admits.
"Better than prom night?" I tease.
"Much better" She admits and I see a sparkle in her eye.
Suddenly the gate buzzer sounds and we both jump a little before laughing.
"That will be Jacob and Caius," She says, pressing the button.
I watch the car pull into the driveway before she turns to face me.
Before we leave Patty, Riley and Alice take numerous photos of Bella, showcasing their work before Alice takes a couple of the both of us at Bella's request. When she's ready she turns to me, opening the front door.
"Are you ready to go?" She asks.
"As I'll ever be" I reply.
She smiles before we step out into the driveway and towards the blacked-out car. As I slide into the back and hear the door close behind me I swallow thickly, feeling anxiety pool in my belly again.
Bella grabs my hand as we head out of the gates and I turn to look out the window. I watch the glittering city lights shine as we wind down the hills, the palm trees swaying in the evening breeze.
"So you ready for this?" Jacob asks from the front of the car.
"Yeah" Bella replies easily.
I notice his eyes flash to mine in the rearview mirror and there's an emotion I can't place.
"Yeah" I murmur. "Ready as ever."